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Haematological profiles and erythrocyte fragility of Arabian stallions subjected to a 2000-m maximal race following administration of ergothioneine

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Abstract

Exercise is a beneficial practice to the body and can constitute a challenge when taken to the extreme especially in competitive sports. Haematological parameters play a very important role in exercise and are usually good indicators of the effects of exercise on the body. In this experiment, ergothioneine was administered to stallions in the experimental group (Ex + ERG) before exercise to evaluate its ameliorative effect on haematological profile and erythrocytes osmotic fragility against the stress of exercise. The leucocyte count post-exercise in Ex + ERG (5.33 ± 0.24 × 109/L) was lower (P < 0.05) than the count recorded in Ex − ERG which was the untreated group (8.73 ± 0.94 × 109/L). After the exercise, erythrocyte count (15.22 ± 3.74 × 1012/L) recorded in Ex + ERG group was higher (P < 0.05) than counts (12.03 ± 0.68 × 1012/L) obtained in the Ex − ERG group after exercise. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio recorded in Ex + ERG group (2.02 ± 0.03) was lower (P < 0.05) than the ratio obtained in Ex − ERG (3.63 ± 0.73). It was concluded that ergothioneine modulated some haematological profiles and decreased leucocyte count and neutrophil/lymphocyte count but increased erythrocyte count and stabilised the membrane of erythrocytes in Arabian stallions subjected to a 2000 m.

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Data availability

Data available on request from the corresponding author.

Abbreviations

ERG:

Ergothioneine

ERG + Ex:

Administered with ergothioneine before exercise

ERG – Ex:

Not administered with ergothioneine but exercised

EDTA:

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

PCV:

Packed cell volume

EOF:

Erythrocyte osmotic fragility

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

NaCl:

Sodium chloride

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the horse stable personnel who assisted in the experiments.

Funding

Funds for this study were provided by the management of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, and the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

    Adakole S. Adah

  2. Department of Veterinary Physiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

    Joseph O. Ayo & Tagang Aluwong

  3. National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria

    Peter I. Rekwot

  4. Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

    Deborah A. Adah

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  1. Adakole S. Adah
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  2. Joseph O. Ayo
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  4. Tagang Aluwong
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  5. Deborah A. Adah
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Contributions

Experimental design: ASA, JOA. Data interpretation and analysis: TA, PIR and JOA. Experiment: ASA, DAA. Writing and revision: ASA, JOA. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adakole S. Adah.

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Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study was approved by the ethics committee of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, with approval number ABUCAUC/2017/VET.MED/APP/019. The horse owners provided written consent which was approved by the committee.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Adah, A.S., Ayo, J.O., Rekwot, P.I. et al. Haematological profiles and erythrocyte fragility of Arabian stallions subjected to a 2000-m maximal race following administration of ergothioneine. Comp Clin Pathol 30, 641–646 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-021-03255-8

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